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when using the synthetic clay....rinse it often

 

as in when I am washing? this actually is for my nephews tacoma - it's in bad shape... I have used a traditional clay bar with quick detailer. which process is best?

 

I prefer the traditional clay bar....but I am old school. I like seeing what comes off. When you are using the synthetic.....just make sure you rinse frequently so that contaminants do not build up on the surface.

Others may feel differently....but I do not think either method is necessarily better than the other one.

 

makes good sense... thanks!

 

it really does look quicker than traditional process - that's the plan!

 

Purchased Chem-X Stars and Stripes, 2 five gallon dispensers, 2 foam cannons, and some Awesome Sauce (SiO2 Sealant). Touchless would be great, should take all but 15 minutes.

 

Getting into the detailing game (personal not business). Off to VatoZone for some pads now...

 

Kudos for getting into the game. Mastering the rotary is a lot tougher than mastering a DA......Do yourself a favor.....visit your local auto parts yard and pick up some panels to practice on

 

That is a pretty risky tool to start with, much less forgiving. Buying scrap panels is a great start to learn.

 

I did alright with it today, but I do feel like the 6" is too big for my needs: 4Runner - Tundra - 5 Series.

I think I'm going to return it; any suggestions for a DA under $200?

 

Don't rely solely on me since I'm only 1 person, but lots love the Griot's G9. Good product and warranty to go with it

 

Ive got a flex 3401, Rupes Big Foot 21 and the old trusty PC

$139 7424XP PORTER-CABLE Car Polisher and Buffer, 6", Orbital, Variable Speed (7424XP)

7424XP...all awesome machines for their intended purposes

 

You can not go wrong with the Griots G9....plenty of power and a great warranty from a company that stands behind their products.

 

1 gallon of Meguiar's Hyper Wash at Woot for $14.99 delivered. I figured I'd try it at this price.

 

It's a quality soap....and that is a great price for it

 

I'm done with Adams products. They recently had a sale where you bought one 16 oz product and got a second for free. Imagine my surprise when I opened my box and there was only one each of the product I ordered. I emailed them back saying that the quantities weren't correct and they sent me back an extremely long response detailing why they only supplied one of each product. After reading their response I was totally confused as they said they had deducted the price off the original product, however some prices were only credited at 75% or so. The bottom line is I only received one of each product I ordered. When I go anywhere else and they have a BOGO I expect to get two for the price of one, and that is exactly how they portrayed it on their web site. Fracking scammers, now on to another product as soon as I find something I like. Honestly I'm tempted to go with something I can buy locally and not have to mess around with shipping.

 

Thats a bummer. I've used a few adams products....not blow away, just ok.

Let us know what kind of products you are looking for and i'm sure you'll get a bunch of recommendations.

I'll throw my hat into the ring, some of these you can get locally:
Wash-Carpro Reset - Most likely not available locally, but its extremely economical to use. I throw a few cap-fulls in a foam cannon and it rips.
Sealant- Griots 3-in-1 - you can find this locally. I use it twice a year and its amazing. i think it runs about $18/bottle and you use it really sparingly (2 sprays per panel).
Interior-Carpro Pearl or 303 Aerospace - Just like Reset, Pearl most likely wont be able to find it locally, but you should be able to find 303 locally. Pearl can be used on various materials based on dilution. I usually use 303 on exterior plastic.
Wheels - P&S Brakebuster - Probably not going to find it locally but i have a supplier that sells P&S stuff, so YMMV. I use it non diluted in a foam cannon and scrub
Tires (cleaning) - Shine Supply Wise Guy - Online only i believe. Really rips dirt off the tires.
Tires (shine) - Waxaddict Tyre Feeder - Definitely not local unless you are in the UK. I bought a gallon probably 3-5 years ago and still going strong.
Quick Detailer - Merlin's Magic Elixir (DIY) - A blend of Carpro Reload and ech2o and distilled water. Works extremely well to do some quick cleans between washes when dusty vehicle (not super dirty).

 

Thanks for the response. I will have to look into these as I am unfamiliar with most of them. I'm also going to look, at the P&S line while I'm at it. Unfortunately, detailing season here in NW Pa is still months away, so I have some time. I do currently use 303 and love it. Thanks again.

 

You might want to consider Bilt Hamber products as well. I use a lot of their Touchless (prewash) and Surfex HD (all purpose cleaner). I've not used Adams products....but a similar situation turned me completely off from Ethos products. As far as the categories Danimal86 covered......I'd like to add my .02.

Wash-Carpro Reset - totally agree - best soap out there...a little pricey, though
Sealant- Jescar Ultra Lock Plus....stupid easy to use...slick finish, glossy, durable
Interior- P&S Xpress....pleasant smell...matte finish
Wheels - Bilt Hamber Surfex at 10:1 for normal dirt.....5:1 for really dirty
Tires (cleaning) - same as wheels
Tires (shine) - Griots Black Satin Aerosol
Quick Detailer - Griots Speed Shine

 

gonna try Reset tomorrow

 

I'm finally trying out some Bilt Hamber Touch-Less and Surfex, got a 5L of each from Carzilla. Figured i'd try out some Koch GSF while i was at it, so i grabbed a bottle.

 

Late to the game, but I have been using Griots as well from day one, awesome machine

 

Griots drying towels work great. Suck up a lot of water.

 

Houston....We have a problem.

I was giving the Bilt Hamber Touchless a try and was going to give it a final rinse off with the CR Spottless....pressure washer wasn't happy and was winding up pretty high. Decided to pull the cartridges and see if anything was up.
The right cartridge blew its guts out. These only had about 10-20 rinses on them since the latest cartridge swap.
I reached out to CR Spotless to see what's up.

P.s. BH Touchless is pretty nice. Can really see it pulling dirt off the paint. I think this will be my new quick wash method.

 

@briarpatch
I grabbed a big jug of Bilt Hamber Surfex. I just used up my last little bit of Shine Supply Wise Guy and am going to switch over to Surfex. Did you happen to ever use Wise Guy....wondering how it compares.